How Bitcoin is Changing Culture and Community in El Salvador | Reyna Chicas of @MyFirstBitcoin-SV

Live from Bitcoin Beach in El Zonte, El Salvador, I’m joined by Reyna Chicas, one of the amazing leaders behind @MyFirstBitcoin-SV . Reyna shares her journey from working in call centers to becoming a Bitcoin advocate, helping Salvadorans understand and embrace the opportunities Bitcoin brings. We talk about how Bitcoin isn’t just about “buying BTC” but about embracing new values like low time preference and personal sovereignty.

Reyna opens up about her experiences teaching Bitcoin in El Salvador and Guatemala, including working with indigenous communities around Lake Atitlán. She also gives an inside look at the changes we’re seeing in El Salvador since the Bitcoin adoption—from enhanced safety and community to a fresh sense of optimism about the future.

Whether you’re curious about how Bitcoin impacts real communities or want to understand the unique energy here in El Salvador, Reyna’s insights will inspire you to see Bitcoin in a new light.

If you haven’t visited yet, Reyna and I agree—get down here and see it for yourself.

- Mike

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Connect with Reyna:
X: https://x.com/reynachicas2
Website: https://es.myfirstbitcoin.io/
Mi Primer Bitcoin X: https://x.com/MyfirstBitcoin_

Browse through this quick guide to learn more about the episode:

0:00 - Introduction
1:20 - How did Reyna Chicas get involved with Bitcoin in El Salvador?
1:33 - What is Reyna Chicas' personal journey with Bitcoin?
2:17 - What is life like growing up in El Salvador?
2:54 - What challenges do people face in El Salvador with extreme weather?
3:13 - How did Reyna’s family encourage her education and career?
5:38 - How did the 2008 financial crisis impact El Salvador?
6:03 - Did the US economic crisis affect Central America?
7:27 - What’s it like working in a call center in El Salvador?
8:25 - Are call center jobs different in the US vs. El Salvador?
9:38 - Why did Reyna move to Guatemala? Her journey into Bitcoin
13:07 - How did the COVID pandemic impact Antigua, Guatemala?
16:36 - How did Reyna Chicas join Mi Primer Bitcoin in El Salvador?
17:04 - When did Reyna start buying Bitcoin?
18:35 - How did Reyna get involved with the Bitcoin community in Guatemala?
20:57 - What is it like to teach Bitcoin in Guatemala?
23:47 - How do cultural differences affect Bitcoin education in Guatemala?
24:38 - Why is teaching Bitcoin to kids easier than teaching adults?
31:17 - What was Reyna’s experience speaking at a Bitcoin mining conference?
36:07 - How is Bitcoin changing El Salvador? Reyna’s perspective on social impact
38:31 - What’s the impact of Bitcoin on safety and opportunity in El Salvador?
44:23 - How are Bitcoin and foreign businesses changing El Salvador?
48:58 - What’s the cultural impact of Bitcoin on responsibility and growth?
54:55 - How can people support Mi Primer Bitcoin’s mission?